School in the USA
Most children attend nursery school from the age of 3 or 4. The name kindergarten, which is actually used for this, means the first year of elementary school in America.
At the age of 5, 6 or 7, the children start school and therefore attend the “kindergarten” for a year. This is not regulated uniformly in the states. Even after that, there are greater differences in school attendance depending on the state.
The primary school is called Elementary School. The five-year visit is common. Then the children switch to the nearest school in their school district, which is usually a middle school (“Mittelschule”, 6th to 8th grade).
The high school
Then you move to high school, where you stay for four years. The 9th grade is also called Freshmanyear or a student is then a Freshman. In the 10th grade he becomes a sophomore. The eleventh graders are then juniors, the final class (= 12th grade) is the senior year. The grades are called grades, so you attend, for example, the 5th grade, the 5th grade.
In the picture you can see that there are other models too, but they are less common. For example, there are also eight-year elementary schools or instead of a middle school there is a junior high school.
Together in courses
By the way, the students learn together throughout the entire school period, so there is no division into grammar school, secondary school and secondary school or secondary school as we do. However, there are no more classes from the 6th grade onwards, but the students take courses. 85 percent of all students attend a public school.
Private schools and homeschooling (lessons at home)
In addition to public schools, there are also private schools. There is also the option of parents teaching their child at home. After all, 2 percent of children are homeschooled. It is mostly religious reasons that make parents want to teach their children at home. Sometimes the way to school is too far or the parents want to protect their child.
From room to room
Unlike ours, there is no classroom (except in primary school), but the students change rooms – and the teacher stays in “his” room. So that you don’t always have to carry all your books with you, every student has a locker. The students usually sit at individual desks where the chair is connected to the table.
All schools are all-day schools, including elementary schools. Classes start at the same time in the morning for everyone and end in the afternoon. In some schools in United States, a country located in North America listed on thereligionfaqs, lessons begin with the pledge of allegiance.
The oath of loyalty
Everyone, standing and looking at the flag, the USA and its flag, swears their allegiance by taking the oath and placing their right hand on their hearts. The text reads: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” That means: “I swear allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and the republic for which it stands, a nation under God, indivisible, with freedom and justice for everyone.” The oath of loyalty is also spoken before sports competitions. There is a lunch break during which everyone meets in the canteen.
School clothes and school year
By the way, there are no school uniforms. However, most schools have a dress code with specific rules. So you can’t come without a belly or with a skirt that’s too short.
The school year begins in late August or early September and ends in late May or early June. The summer vacation lasts ten to eleven weeks.
Notes and subjects
The notes are letters. A corresponds to our one, B is a two, C is a three and D is a four. F is a five and means failed. Plus and minus are also awarded.
In high school, in addition to subjects that you also know, such as math, biology, history or geography, there is also a wide range of courses, such as in marketing, nutrition, film and the like. You choose four compulsory subjects per semester plus two more of these electives.
The sports activities in the afternoon are wide-ranging. The school often has its own teams that compete against other schools. The school’s cheerleaders perform in American football and basketball. They cheer on their teams.
The school way
Some children are driven to school by their parents, others take the school bus. You can see the yellow school buses all over the United States. Hardly any child comes to school on foot or by bike.
The conclusion: graduation
Completion of High School (Graduation) is celebrated in style. Parents and relatives come to the school ceremony. Students wear robes and the academic hat (cap and gown). All receive their certificates and are then allowed to put the ribbon on their hat (the tassel) from the right to the left. This is the sign for “I have passed and can now go to university!” Then they all throw their hats in the air together. Then there is a celebration at home or at a picnic area. Friends, relatives and other students drop by, eat and chat and look at photos of the student.
